Depression Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is necessary regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for hepatitis C, depression, and obstructive sleep apnea. The case is REMANDED to obtain outstanding VA treatment records, military personnel records, and determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder was denied as the earliest possible effective date is September 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and completion of the VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as the evidence did not corroborate his reported in-service stressors and there is no medical opinion linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to service. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current schizoaffective disorder, depressive type was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms of psychosis during service or continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral hearing loss, and his psychiatric disability is presumed to be related to service. The left eye condition needs further clarification regarding its nature (disease or defect) and whether it was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's dysthymia (depressive disorder) is currently rated at 70 percent, effective December 20, 2014. The Board found that the symptoms of depression have resulted in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder prior to July 1, 2003 and his claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD. The decision is based on the lack of inservice treatment records and current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a mental health condition (claimed as anxiety and depression) are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and providing an adequate VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric diagnoses.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression was characterized by occupational and social impairment, resulting in a 30 percent disability rating. The TBI residuals were also considered, but did not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability was dismissed due to his withdrawal. The Board found that the Veteran has bilateral keratoconus incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The decision also found that the Veteran's PTSD is related to military sexual trauma during her service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and esophageal disability. The issues of service connection are also pending.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition has been manifested by reduced reliability and productivity, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating. The symptoms have included flattened affect, impaired judgment, and difficulty in establishing effective relationships.

The Veteran's PTSD with secondary depression has resulted in occupational and social impairment, specifically reduced reliability and productivity. The symptoms include nightmares, intrusive thoughts, sleep disturbance, controlled irritability, anxiety, panic attacks more than once a week, oversight at work on complex tasks, and difficulty establishing effective social relationships outside of work and family situations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD and depressive disorder, was incurred in service due to a personal assault. The claim is granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board also found that it is less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected conditions.